ENG vs IND: 2nd Test Review – Pacers set up thrilling finish as India go 1-0 up at Lord’s

After five days of neck and neck Test cricket, India managed to sneak past England in the closing hours of Day 5 of the 2nd Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. The visitors managed to pull off what looked like a heist at the Home of Cricket with a stunning 151-run victory. The final day was full of drama with India being on top for the most part of play. With this win, India have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

Rohit, Rahul pile on the misery

England captain Joe Root won the toss on Day 1 and elected to bowl first. His decision seemed to backfire as India piled on runs in challenging overcast conditions. Rohit Sharma scored a fluent 83 while KL Rahul scored his first Test ton in three years, ending with 129 runs. Virat Kohli’s 42, Rishabh Pant’s 37 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 40 took India’s first-innings total to 364 . James Anderson was the chief destructor as he picked up another five-wicket haul.

England batted as much as India did. Root played yet another masterful innings, getting an unbeaten 180. There were some contributions from Jonny Bairstow, who made 57 while Rory Burns managed 49 runs. The hosts managed to end with 391 runs. Mohammed Siraj picked up four while Ishant Sharma picked up three wickets.

The Bumrah-Shami Show

India were in a bit of trouble early on in their second innings. But a patient partnership between Ajinkya Rahane (61) and Cheteshwar Pujara (45) steadied India’s ship. After that, an unbeaten stand between Mohammed Shami (56) and Jasprit Bumrah (34) of 89 runs helped India set an improbable target in front of England. They declared on 298/8.

England never really got going in the second innings with the bat. There was some resistance from Root and Jos Buttler but the Indian pacers were relentless to say the least. Siraj picked up four, Bumrah grabbed three, Ishant got two while Shami managed one wicket. England were bowled out for 120 as India sealed the match by 151 runs.

Top performers

Joe Root: The England skipper is, without a shadow of doubt, the best batsman in the current England Test team. His knock of 180* was constructed beautifully at a time when no other England batsman could survive in the middle. His one-man show put England in firm command during their first innings, helping them put up a competitive total on the board.

Jasprit Bumrah: After going wicketless in the first innings, the premier pacer of the Indian team found a way to score 34 runs on the fifth day which was an emotional roller coaster for him. Put under pressure, he responded showing his improvement with the bat. Later, he turned out to start what was England’s collapse. He picked up the wickets of Burns and Robinson. He also got the most important wicket of Root – a gamechanger in the Test!

Mohammed Siraj: There is every bit to like about Siraj and he once again proved why world cricket has been going gaga over him. The fast-bowler was fantastic with the ball in the first innings, picking up four crucial scalps. But it was his match-changing spell in the final innings that put the final nail into England’s coffin. He picked up the wickets of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran off successive balls and then came back to wrap up England’s last two wickets.

Personal achievements/records

• This was India’s only third win at Lord’s in 17 attempts
• Mohammed Shami’s 56 is the highest score by an Indian no. 9 in a Lord’s Test
• Sam Curran became only the fifth batsman to get a king pair (first ball duck in both innings) in a Test against India

Way ahead

After an intense period of five days, England and India are slated for a 9-day break until they take the field next. The third Test between both teams will be played at Headingley from August 25 to 29.